I've done it again! Maybe the novelty will wear off soon and I'll stop posting about it every time I do it, but I can't make promises.
Do what, you ask?
Watch movies I've never seen!!! There's nothing wrong with watching a movie on the couch with your girlfriend or friends every night, but the experience can be a truly engaging one if you indulge in something new. So, as you know, that's what I'm doing.
Last night we watched "Rush". I was pretty sure I wanted to see this movie from the moment I knew it was a Ron Howard-directed, human interest story, based on real events. I mean, come on!!! There was never a question that it would be up my alley.
And I thought it was amazing!!! It's funny, because at this time of year you're hearing about and seeing a lot of Oscar-nominated films and "Rush" isn't one of them. And honestly, while watching it, I could distinctly feel that. Decent acting, but not great. Good story, but not mind-blowing. That being said, it was entertaining, and there's a lot to be said about that.
Showing posts with label new year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new year. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
I came up with a legit resolution...
...and it is: to re-watch and re-read as little as possible!
Something you may or may not know about me is that I watch the same stuff over and over again, and that applies to a lesser degree to reading as well. Rather than diving into new TV shows, which I find intimidating and overwhelming, I re-watch ones I've already seen. Obviously this isn't all I do, but I do it a lot. It's comfortable and relaxing to just let my mind focus very little on what's in front of me.
Comfortable and relaxing, maybe, but not extremely engaging, is it? It's easy to just allow myself to do that, but it would really stretch my mind more if I made myself - and it will take a concerted effort - engage in new things. I intend to do more than just watching new TV shows and movies, but this is one way to cultivate new interests and hobbies.
So, I intend to watch movies I've always meant to... like "Annie Hall", "Kramer vs. Kramer", and more! Any time I sit down to watch a movie, I'll make an effort to try something new!
Brilliant. Bring it on!
Something you may or may not know about me is that I watch the same stuff over and over again, and that applies to a lesser degree to reading as well. Rather than diving into new TV shows, which I find intimidating and overwhelming, I re-watch ones I've already seen. Obviously this isn't all I do, but I do it a lot. It's comfortable and relaxing to just let my mind focus very little on what's in front of me.
Comfortable and relaxing, maybe, but not extremely engaging, is it? It's easy to just allow myself to do that, but it would really stretch my mind more if I made myself - and it will take a concerted effort - engage in new things. I intend to do more than just watching new TV shows and movies, but this is one way to cultivate new interests and hobbies.
So, I intend to watch movies I've always meant to... like "Annie Hall", "Kramer vs. Kramer", and more! Any time I sit down to watch a movie, I'll make an effort to try something new!
Brilliant. Bring it on!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Gettin' Fit
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I just can't believe that another year has come and gone... 2014!!! I can't wait to see what the year will bring. One of my resolutions is to update Sugar & Gravy more often. This can be such a fun creative outlet, and I want to bring a little more of that back into my life.
You know what I'm not making a resolution this year? Eating healthy / getting fit / losing weight. Why is that? Because I'm already doing it. Unbeknownst to you (contrary to popular belief, I don't write everything about my life in this blog), I have been adopting a very healthy lifestyle over the past while. In fact, today marks exactly six months since my girlfriend K. and I decided to eat healthier, join a gym, and generally become more health-conscious. Since that fateful day in July 2013, I have lost approximately 35 lbs and made working out a genuine part of my routine. I have gotten stronger, fitter, and gone down about two dress sizes. Most importantly, I've gotten to the point where working out is almost as natural and necessary as brushing my teeth. It feels incredible!
I've heard many times that exercise is THE way to keep you mentally healthy (in addition to all of the physical benefits). And you know what? I get it. I have a lot going on right now in my life (all positive, and more on that another time soon), and so I've been wont to get overwhelmed. Today I'm also feeling outrageously hormonal, and as a result I found myself totally lethargic, bummed out, and emotional this afternoon. BUT K. and I had put a workout in our schedules this evening, so I fought my instinct to stretch out on the couch and watch "The O.C.", and instead walked through the snow to the gym. Around 30 minutes later I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was sweaty and panting, yet I felt like I could run to the top of a mountain and sing! It probably sounds cheesy and over the top, but that's genuinely how I feel right now.
It makes me wonder... why did I wait so long to make this part of my life? Who cares?! It is, and that's what's important.
You know what I'm not making a resolution this year? Eating healthy / getting fit / losing weight. Why is that? Because I'm already doing it. Unbeknownst to you (contrary to popular belief, I don't write everything about my life in this blog), I have been adopting a very healthy lifestyle over the past while. In fact, today marks exactly six months since my girlfriend K. and I decided to eat healthier, join a gym, and generally become more health-conscious. Since that fateful day in July 2013, I have lost approximately 35 lbs and made working out a genuine part of my routine. I have gotten stronger, fitter, and gone down about two dress sizes. Most importantly, I've gotten to the point where working out is almost as natural and necessary as brushing my teeth. It feels incredible!
I've heard many times that exercise is THE way to keep you mentally healthy (in addition to all of the physical benefits). And you know what? I get it. I have a lot going on right now in my life (all positive, and more on that another time soon), and so I've been wont to get overwhelmed. Today I'm also feeling outrageously hormonal, and as a result I found myself totally lethargic, bummed out, and emotional this afternoon. BUT K. and I had put a workout in our schedules this evening, so I fought my instinct to stretch out on the couch and watch "The O.C.", and instead walked through the snow to the gym. Around 30 minutes later I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was sweaty and panting, yet I felt like I could run to the top of a mountain and sing! It probably sounds cheesy and over the top, but that's genuinely how I feel right now.
It makes me wonder... why did I wait so long to make this part of my life? Who cares?! It is, and that's what's important.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Reader's Digest
I can't believe it's already January 22nd!!! This month has flown by. It happens to be pretty much my busiest month of the year at work, so it was a stressful and overwhelming start to the year. But, with the biggest project in my portfolio behind me, I'm feeling very successful, accomplished, and productive. That is a great way to begin 2013.
I don't have anything in particular to blog about today, but I was feeling like I'd been neglecting ol' S&G. So - how about a bit of a general update? Perhaps even a list of things I want to blog about when I have more time / I'm in the zone.
My cat: I got a cat. His name is Spoon. I've never had a pet before in my life, save for a hamster and maybe some fish... and an infamous turtle (ask me about that story as I'm unlikely to blog about it). Spoon and I already have a beautiful, budding friendship, and I have no doubt I'll want to dedicate one - if not many - entry to him in the near future.
Hobbies: I wouldn't call myself a workaholic. I love my job, but I make time for lots of other things, too, and it's not that often that I find myself "burning the midnight oil". However, when someone asks me, "What do you do?", I'm determined not to reply with my job title. Therefore, I am cultivating a number of hobbies that bring balance and fun to my life, and which I can state to people proudly. I'd love to write about a few of them soon.
My iPad: I got an iPad and I really enjoy it. I may or may not blog about it.
That'll be all for now.
Currently reading... Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington, Quiet by Susan Cain
Posts to come... An overview of all contestants to date on "RuPaul's Drag Race" ... and maybe sometime on my cat and my hobbies.
I don't have anything in particular to blog about today, but I was feeling like I'd been neglecting ol' S&G. So - how about a bit of a general update? Perhaps even a list of things I want to blog about when I have more time / I'm in the zone.
My cat: I got a cat. His name is Spoon. I've never had a pet before in my life, save for a hamster and maybe some fish... and an infamous turtle (ask me about that story as I'm unlikely to blog about it). Spoon and I already have a beautiful, budding friendship, and I have no doubt I'll want to dedicate one - if not many - entry to him in the near future.
Hobbies: I wouldn't call myself a workaholic. I love my job, but I make time for lots of other things, too, and it's not that often that I find myself "burning the midnight oil". However, when someone asks me, "What do you do?", I'm determined not to reply with my job title. Therefore, I am cultivating a number of hobbies that bring balance and fun to my life, and which I can state to people proudly. I'd love to write about a few of them soon.
My iPad: I got an iPad and I really enjoy it. I may or may not blog about it.
That'll be all for now.
Currently reading... Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington, Quiet by Susan Cain
Posts to come... An overview of all contestants to date on "RuPaul's Drag Race" ... and maybe sometime on my cat and my hobbies.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Happy New Year | rc-4: Concluded
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Bring it on, 2013!
I am back to work today, in ways both professional and personal, so it felt timely to update good ol' Sugar & Gravy.
How was your holiday? Mine was great! It was the perfect balance of seeing family and friends, eating food, sleeping, resting, socializing, and more. I had a great New Year's Eve, too; very low-key with some loved ones. The holiday felt long, too, which is a surprise... not to say that it was easy getting back to work today, but still, it feels nice to be back to routine.
I owe everyone a salute to John Lennon, but it just doesn't feel right anymore, being nearly a month since the anniversary of his death. Moreover, there's not necessarily a significance to the 32nd anniversary of his death, so perhaps I'll save it for 2015... here's hoping I keep S&G up until then.
I also owe y'all an overview of all contestants (seasons 1-4) on "RuPaul's Drag Race". This post I will absolutely do, as it's partially written and I think will be a lot of fun to write and get feedback on. I hope to get this written in January, but I won't make any promises yet.
rc-4 Year-End Update
What I will do right now is give my rc-4 update. Another year has ended, and so therefore has another one of my reading challenges. Reading Challenge #4, more commonly referred to as rc-4, was to read 20 books in 2012. Once again (17/20 in 2011), I have not completed my challenge. In fact, I only completed 60% of it, but.....
WHO CARES?! The challenge is arbitrary to some degree. It's a great regular segment to blog about, a chance to discuss the books I'm reading and what I plan on reading next. And, the whole point was always to keep me reading after I was done my English degree, and I have been. 12 books in 2012 is fine. A book a month is likely above average, and plus - I'm not competing with anyone. rc-4 was for me, but hopefully any regular readers got some enjoyment out of it, too. I know I did!!!
All that said, here's what I did read:
Currently reading... Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington, Quiet by Susan Cain
Posts to come... An overview of all contestants to date on "RuPaul's Drag Race"
Bring it on, 2013!
I am back to work today, in ways both professional and personal, so it felt timely to update good ol' Sugar & Gravy.
How was your holiday? Mine was great! It was the perfect balance of seeing family and friends, eating food, sleeping, resting, socializing, and more. I had a great New Year's Eve, too; very low-key with some loved ones. The holiday felt long, too, which is a surprise... not to say that it was easy getting back to work today, but still, it feels nice to be back to routine.
I owe everyone a salute to John Lennon, but it just doesn't feel right anymore, being nearly a month since the anniversary of his death. Moreover, there's not necessarily a significance to the 32nd anniversary of his death, so perhaps I'll save it for 2015... here's hoping I keep S&G up until then.
I also owe y'all an overview of all contestants (seasons 1-4) on "RuPaul's Drag Race". This post I will absolutely do, as it's partially written and I think will be a lot of fun to write and get feedback on. I hope to get this written in January, but I won't make any promises yet.
rc-4 Year-End Update
What I will do right now is give my rc-4 update. Another year has ended, and so therefore has another one of my reading challenges. Reading Challenge #4, more commonly referred to as rc-4, was to read 20 books in 2012. Once again (17/20 in 2011), I have not completed my challenge. In fact, I only completed 60% of it, but.....
WHO CARES?! The challenge is arbitrary to some degree. It's a great regular segment to blog about, a chance to discuss the books I'm reading and what I plan on reading next. And, the whole point was always to keep me reading after I was done my English degree, and I have been. 12 books in 2012 is fine. A book a month is likely above average, and plus - I'm not competing with anyone. rc-4 was for me, but hopefully any regular readers got some enjoyment out of it, too. I know I did!!!
All that said, here's what I did read:
- What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
- When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
- Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
- Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- If You Have to Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom **re-read
- She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb *favourite author **re-read
- In One Person by John Irving *favourite author
- Lennon Revealed by Larry Kane **re-read
In Sum: 12 books read, 9 new books and 3 books re-read, 10 different authors, 1 series, 6 non-fiction, 6 fiction
As for what I'm going to do in 2013 or rc-5... I'm not sure yet. I think I'm just going to re-commit myself to reading lots, blog about it here, but not make it a challenge. I may change my mind, but I'm a bit over the challenge: not the intent of it, but the whole being a challenge part. I'll read, I'll write about it, but that'll be all.
All my best for a great 2013, all! Until next time.....
Currently reading... Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington, Quiet by Susan Cain
Posts to come... An overview of all contestants to date on "RuPaul's Drag Race"
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